Train-pipe coupling.



No. 771,540. PATENTBD 00T. 4, 1904.

T. M. D. EARHEART. TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 13, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

l UNITED STATES Patented October 4, 1904.

THOMAS M. D. EARHEART, OF PARKWOOD, ALABAMA.

TRAIN-PIPE COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,540, dated October4, 1904. Application filed February 13, 1904. Serial No. 193,444- (NOmodel.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known thatLTHoMAs M. D. EARHEART, a citizen of the United States,residing-at Parkwood, in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama,have invented a new and useful Train-Pipe Coupling, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to train-pipe coup,- lings, and has for its objectsto produce a comparatively simple inexpensive device of this characterin which the coupling members connecting the pipe-sections are adaptedfor a variety of movements, whereby they will readily conform to thevarious relative movements of the cars.

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises the novelfeatures of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafterdescribed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional plan showing apair of the members in coupled engagement and illustrating one form ofembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, on an venlarged scale, illustrative ofthe manner of connecting the sections of the nozzle. Figs. 3 and 4 aredetail views illustrative of a slightly-modified form of embodiment ofthe invention, Fig. 4 being partly in section taken on the line 44 ofFig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the coupling devices 1,which are identical in construction and operation and but one of whichis described in detail, each com prises a substantially U-shaped tubularconnecting member or carrier 2, the forwardly-extending branches orcylinders 3 of which sustain, respectively, a female coupling member 4and a male coupling member or nozzle 5.

The carrier 2, which constitutes a connection between the couplingmembers and trainpipe and also a duct for the passage of air from thelatter to the former, is provided with a centrally-disposed rearwardtubular eXtension or cylinder 6, designed for the reception of acoupling-head1 provided vupon the end of the train-pipe section 8, saidhead having a suitable packing-ring 9 and being adapted for movement orplay longitudinally of they cylinder 6, whereby the coupling device 1may,

as a whole, conform to the relative longitudinal movement of the cars.

The female member 4, which is preferably in the form of a suitablelength of tubing, is provided at its forward end with a flaring orsubstantially bell-shaped mouth 10 and at its rear end with acoupling-head or piston 11, disposed within and designed for movement orplay longitudinally of one of the cylindrical extensions 3, said headbeing'provided with a rubber packing-gasket 12 to bear upon the innersurface of the cylinder and prevent passage of air between the parts.

The male member or nozzle 5, which is designed to enter and fit snuglywithin the member 4 of the companion coupling device, is of tubular formand preferably comprises a piimary section 13 and a secondary section14, coupled for relative movement, as hereinafter described, said nozzlebeing provided at its rear end with a coupling head or piston 15,disposed within and designed for movement longitudinally of the othercylindrical extension 3, said head having a packing ring or gasket 16,similar to and performing the same ofce as gasket 12. The secondarysection 14 of male member 5 is provided at its inner end with a head1.7, seated in a chamber 18 at the forward end of section 13, theterminal of which latter is closed by a removable cap 19, while in rearof the head there is provided a bearing flange or abutment 20, all asseen more clearly in Fig. 2-. The head 17, which tapers conically fromits center toward its ends, which are of reduced diameter, is pro-Avided at its enlarged center with a packinggasket 21 and adjacent itsends with similar gaskets 22, these gaskets serving to maintain the headair-tight within the chamber 18 and at the same time cushion the head inits movements. It is obvious from this arrangement that the section 14is susceptible of a slight amount of longitudinal play and also ofconsiderable lateral play relative to the section 13 during the passageof the cars around curves.

The outer ends of cylinders or extensions 3 are closed by removable caps23, which permit the insertion or removal of the coupling members andalso serve as bearings for normally `expandedsprings 24, disposed inadvance of IOO the heads ol the coupling' members, while in rear of thelatter there are disposed expanded springs 25, having bearing' at theirrear ends upon bearing' i'langes or abutments 26, provided in rear oi'the extensions 3. These springs 24 25, which yield under thelongitudinal movements of the coupling members in conforming to themovements of thecars, serve to return the members or maintain them innormal position.

Each coupling device l is movable back and forth beneath the car tooperative or inoperative position by means oi' a crank-shaft 27,journaled for rotation beneath the car and having at its ends operatingarms or levers 28, the crank-bend 29 of the shaft being' engaged by oneend of an operating' rod or element 30, the other end oi' which isoperatively connected with the carrier'2. It is apparent that inpractice when the shaft 27 is rocked in one direction the coupling'device will be moved rearward to an inoperative position bcneath thecar, and when rocked in the opposite direction the coupling' memberswill be extended from beneath the car to an operative or coupling'position. This arrangement permits oi' the coupling members being movedto a position where they will be free irom wear and liability ofbecoming damaged when not actually in use.

Attention is especially directed to the iact that owing' to the airpassage or opening' through the membersll and 5 being' ot' smallerdiameter than that of the extensions 3 the compressed air in passing'from said extensions through the coupling' members will act upon theheads 11 15 for pressing the mem.- bcrs 2 and maintaining them incoupled engag'ement.

1n Figs. 3 and L l have illustrated a slight modiiication in the matterof connecting' the carrier with the train-pipe. In this form of thedevice the end of the train-pipe 8 is in threaded engagement with asocketed head or hanger 31, suspended by a bolt 32 or otherwise beneaththe car, the carrier 2 being provided upon its extension 6 with aspherical enlargementor ball 33, adapted to lit and have universalmovement within the socket ot' head 31. 1n other respects theconstruction and operation is identical with that above described.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I produce a simple inexpensivedevice which is admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends inview; but it is to be understood that l do not wish to be limited orconfined to the precise details herein set forth, inasmuch as minorchanges may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.For example, the coupling-heads 11 l5 instead of being of the formherein shown may be constructed similar to the head 17 without defeatingtheir function or operation.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed isfl. In a ldeviceof the class described, the combination with a carrier having a pair oftubular extensions, of male and female coupling' members telescopicall yconnected respectively with said extensions for longitudinal movement,bearingheads provided on the members within the extensions, andcushioning-springs disposed in rear and advance of the respective heads.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with atrain-pipe, of a carrier slidabl y connected therewith, a coupling'member carried by the carrier, and a rock-shaft having' a crank-bendoperatively connected with the carrier and operable for moving thelatter longitudinally to advance or retreat the coupling member.

3. ln a device of the class described, the combination with a carrierhaving' a tubular extension, otl a coupling' member telescopicallyconnected therewith and provided with a bearing-head disposed within theextension, and cushioning-springs arranged in rear and advance of thebearing-head.

ln testimony that l. claim the foregoing as my own l have hereto atixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS M. D. EARHEART.

Witnesses:

W. C. Monnis, HERMAN HORN.

